(RSF/IFEX) – The Higher Council for Communications (Conseil supérieur de la Communication, CSC) has ordered 10 of the country’s privately-owned radio stations to suspend their programming as of 25 September 2003. RSF is outraged over this decision, which is characteristic of a regime that seeks to suppress basic freedoms. “Just what is happening at present […]
(RSF/IFEX) – The Higher Council for Communications (Conseil supérieur de la Communication, CSC) has ordered 10 of the country’s privately-owned radio stations to suspend their programming as of 25 September 2003.
RSF is outraged over this decision, which is characteristic of a regime that seeks to suppress basic freedoms. “Just what is happening at present in Niger? A journalist has been jailed for the past two weeks and now 10 radio stations are suspended! The authorities must reconsider these actions and remember their commitment to press freedom,” RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard said in a letter to the government. The organisation called on the authorities to cancel the suspension order and to release Ibrahim Souley immediately. The editor of “L’Enquêteur” newspaper has been detained since 13 September (see IFEX alert of 18 September 2003).
According to information collected by RSF, on 25 September, the CSC withdrew the broadcasting licences of 10 privately-owned radio stations. The council said the licences were henceforth “null and void because [the stations] did not comply with current regulations.” The CSC is in the midst of a serious internal crisis and its members are in the process of reviewing a number of the previous administration’s decisions. The suspended stations include Horizon FM, Sahara FM, Saraounia FM and Radio Madiana.
The targeted stations have decided to ignore the CSC’s decision and continue their broadcasts as usual.
RSF also notes that Souley, editor of the weekly “L’Enquêteur”, has been incarcerated at Niamey central prison since 16 September. He is accused of criticising the misappropriation of funds in the handing out of government contracts. The State Prosecutor’s Office filed a complaint following the publication of an article in issue 169 of “L’Enquêteur”, in which the government was accused of contributing to the sudden wealth of local businessman Djibo Zakou. The weekly reported that business people from eastern Niger were angry that Zakou, who comes from the western part of the country, had received “juicy contracts.”